Well we didn't look like the 128th ranked team in the country did we?
The Minutemen went toe-to-toe with the Gators for most of the game. I was especially pleased with the UMass defense. If finally looked as if we had enough depth up front to play some attacking defense. We ran some blitzes and line stunts. Da'Sean Downey played a great game with several hurries on Del Rio. The Gators were forced to punt 4 times and the Minutemen stopped three Florida drives that resulted in field goals. At times the defense looked well, almost Don Brown-like.
Quote from the Gators writeup:
"For UF, the most apropos response would have been a vintage Spurrier-like offensive eruption of, say, 60 points and 500-plus yards.
But nope."
UMass held the Gator offense to two TD's. And one of those was a busted coverage by Khari Bailey-Smith who inexplicably let Callaway loose in first quarter.
The Minutemen offense didn't do much, remembering the Gator defense was billed as the best "D" in the nation. UMass found a star in Andy Isabella who had three catches for 95 yards---and the first was a nifty over-the-shoulder catch for 53 yards that flipped the field. Marquis Young battled all night, but didn't have much room against a fast and athletic Gator defense. Ross Comis played as well as could be expected against a tough Gator defense. He didn't throw an INT and didn't fumble despite several big hits.
All-in-all a great effort. UMass looked like they belonged.
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UMass write-up here.
Florida write-up here.
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Dan Malone says the Minutemen threatened an upset.
Matty Vautour says UMass put a scare into Florida.
Matty has a notebook from the game.
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The Boston Herald says UMass put a scare into the Gators.
The Miami Herald reports a late offensive outburst pushed Florida past the Minutemen.
SEC Country said "Del Rio was under duress all night and the backs didn’t have any running room."
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Mississippi State lost to South Alabama.
Old Dominion's game was postponed until this afternoon because of the tropical storm.
Louisiana Tech came within a eyelash of upsetting Arkansas.
Troy rang up 706 yards of offense against Austin Peay.
BYU beat Arizona on a last second field goal.
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